Phlox plant named &#39;Bubble Gum&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Phlox named ‘Bubble Gum’ that is characterized by vigorous growth, prolific blooming, tall, erect and uniform habit and bright pink flowers, with dark markings at the center of each flower. In combination with these characteristics, the new cultivar is larger and not as rangy as other pink varieties, setting it apart from all other existing varieties of Phlox.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The application for Phlox ‘Bubble Gum’ is related to anotherapplication entitled Phlox Plant Named ‘Cotton Candy’, having the sameinventor and filing date as the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofMoss Phlox, botanically known as Phlox subulata (not patented) andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Bubble Gum’. In 1998 thenew cultivar was discovered by the inventor, in a cultivated area ofAlbany, Oreg. ‘Bubble Gum’ was a spontaneously occurring sport,discovered as a branch on Phlox subulata ‘Candy Stripe’ (prior art).

[0003] The distinguishing characteristics of ‘Bubble Gum’ include atall, erect habit and floriferous display of bright pink flowers.‘Bubble Gum’ is distinguished from the parent plant ‘Candy Stripe’(prior art) by pink flowers. It differs from the pink variety ‘EmeraldPink’ (unpatented) by its large size and abundance of flowers, and isnot disease prone or rangy in habit like the pink variety ‘Rosea’(unpatented).

[0004] After the sport was observed for performance over a period ofmonths, ‘Bubble Gum’ was propagated in a cultivated area of Albany,Oreg. The first asexual reproduction was accomplished by the inventor in1998, using vegetative cuttings. The distinguishing characteristics havebeen determined stable and are reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and representthe characteristics of the new cultivar. These attributes in combinationdistinguish this cultivar from other commercial varieties. ‘Bubble gum’has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypicdifferences may be observed with variations in conditions, howeverwithout any variance in genotype.

[0006] 1. ‘Bubble Gum’ is vigorous in growth.

[0007] 2. ‘Bubble Gum’ is a prolific bloomer.

[0008] 3. ‘Bubble Gum’ is tall and erect with a uniform habit.

[0009] 4. ‘Bubble Gum’ has bright pink flowers with dark markings at thecenter encircling the opening to the throat.

[0010] 5. ‘Bubble Gum’ is large in size, floriferous and not rangy inhabit like other pink varieties.

[0011] 6. ‘Bubble Gum’ is hardy to USDA Zone 3.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying color photographs illustrate the distinguishingtraits of the new cultivar. Sheet 1 shows a close-up view of the bud andnewly opened flower of the new cultivar ‘Bubble Gum’ in the lower photoand a close-up view of the bud and flower of the parent plant ‘CandyStripe’ (prior art) in the upper photo. Sheet 2 is a close-up view ofthe mature flowers of ‘Bubble Gum’. The photographs are made usingconventional photographic techniques and although colors may appeardifferent from actual colors due to light reflectance, they are asaccurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0013] The following is a detailed botanical description of the newPhlox cultivar ‘Bubble Gum’. Data was collected in Arroyo Grande, Calif.from plants grown in two-gallon containers. The color determination isin accordance with the RHS Colour Chart of The Royal HorticulturalSociety, London England, except where general color terms of ordinarydictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similarto the species and no disease problems have been observed.

[0014] Botanical Classification: Phlox subulata ‘Bubble Gum’.

[0015] Common Name: Moss Phlox.

[0016] Parentage: ‘Bubble Gum’ was a spontaneously occurring sport,discovered as a branch of the parent plant Phlox subulata ‘Candy Stripe’(prior art).

[0017] Propagation: By soft stem cuttings or division.

[0018] Rooting Habit: Vigorous, fibrous and well branched.

[0019] Time to Initiate Roots: Approximately 21 days at temperatures of25° Centigrade for roots to develop from an initial cutting.

[0020] Crop Time: Approximately 12 to 16 weeks to produce a finishedplant in a one-gallon container, from an unrooted cutting.

[0021] Plant Habit: Erect habit.

[0022] Use: Used as a groundcover, border plant and in rock gardens.

[0023] Type: Perennial.

[0024] Growth Rate: Vigorous growth rate.

[0025] Height: Soil level to top of leaves is approximately 7 cm. inheight and soil level to top of flowers is approximately 10 cm. inheight.

[0026] Width: 40 cm. in width.

[0027] Hardiness: USDA Zone 3.

[0028] Stem:

[0029]Stem color.—138B overlaid with streaks of 183A.

[0030]Stem shape.—Cylindrical in shape.

[0031]Internode length.—6-18 mm. between nodes.

[0032]Stem width.—2 mm. in width.

[0033]Stem length.—7-8 cm. in length.

[0034]Stem surface.—Puberulent.

[0035]Branching habit.—Freely branching and dense.

[0036] Foliage:

[0037]Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.

[0038]Leaf division.—Simple.

[0039]Leaf shape.—Narrow and linear in shape.

[0040]Leaf length.—4-12 mm. in length.

[0041]Leaf width.—1-3 mm. in width.

[0042]Leaf apex.—Apiculate.

[0043]Leaf base.—Truncate.

[0044]Leaf venation.—Only mid-vein is visible and slightly depressed onadaxial surface, while slightly protruding on abaxial surface.

[0045]Vein color.—137A.

[0046]Margin type.—Entire with margins slightly involute.

[0047]Leaf surface.—Adaxial and abaxial surfaces generally glabrous withhairs toward margins and base.

[0048]Petiole.—Sessile attachment.

[0049]Young leaf color (adaxial surface).—137A.

[0050]Young leaf color (abaxial surface).—137B.

[0051]Mature leaf color (adaxial surface).—136A.

[0052]Mature leaf color (abaxial surface).—137A.

[0053]Foliar fragrance.—None observed.

[0054] Flower:

[0055]Sexuality.—Monoclinous.

[0056]Flowering season.—Early to mid spring. Plants may flower in summeras well.

[0057]Flower arrangement.—Generally three held upright and abovefoliage.

[0058]Flower form.—Corymb.

[0059]Quantity of flowers.—Six flowers per corymb.

[0060]Flower shape.—Explanate.

[0061]Fragrance.—Slight sweet perfume scent.

[0062]Determinate or indeterminate.—Determinate.

[0063]Flowering time.—Diurnal.

[0064]Flower aspect.—Outward aspect.

[0065]Flower diameter.—2 cm. in diameter.

[0066]Flower depth (corolla tube).—12 mm. in depth.

[0067]Peduncle length.—3-3.5 cm. in length.

[0068]Peduncle width.—1 mm. in width.

[0069]Angle of peduncle to stem.—45° angle to stem.

[0070]Peduncle color.—86A.

[0071]Petals.—Five in number.

[0072]Petal length.—12 mm. in length.

[0073]Petal width.—9 mm. in width at widest part and 3 mm. in width atnarrowest part.

[0074]Fused or unfused.—Unfused.

[0075]Petal color (opening).—78C.

[0076]Petal color (mature).—Overall color is 72C with dark markings 71Aat the center of the flower encircling the opening to the throat.

[0077]Petal shape.—Obovate with a notched tip.

[0078]Petal margin.—Entire margin.

[0079]Petal surface.—Glabrous surface.

[0080]Petal texture.—Satiny texture.

[0081]Bud shape.—Tubular to oval.

[0082]Bud dimensions.—0.50 cm. in length by 0.50 cm. in width.

[0083]Color of bud.—78B.

[0084]Calyx shape.—Tubular with sepals fused at base.

[0085]Calyx dimensions.—9 mm. in length and 5-6 mm. in width.

[0086]Sepals.—Five in number.

[0087]Sepal shape.—Linear.

[0088]Sepal apex.—Acuminate.

[0089]Sepal color.—Overall color is 138B with dark veins that are 86A.

[0090]Sepal surface.—Puberulent.

[0091]Sepal dimensions.—9 mm. in length and 1-1.5 mm. in width.

[0092] Reproductive Organs:

[0093]Stamen number.—Five in number that are of unequal lengths andincluded.

[0094]Stamen dimensions.—Less than 1 mm. in width and varying from 3 mm.in length to 8 mm. in length.

[0095]Stamen color.—18D.

[0096]Anthers shape and attachment.—Oblong and basafixed.

[0097]Anther dimensions.—Less than 1 mm. in length and less than 1 mm.in width.

[0098]Anther color.—15A.

[0099]Pollen color.—15A.

[0100]Quantity of pollen.—Low to moderate amount of pollen.

[0101]Ovary color.—138B.

[0102]Ovary position.—Superior.

[0103]Ovary shape.—Tumescent.

[0104]Ovary dimensions.—1 mm. in height and 1 mm. in width.

[0105]Pistil.—One in number and trifid at apex.

[0106]Pistil shape.—Slender and filiform.

[0107]Pistil dimensions.—6 mm. in length and less than 1 mm. in width.

[0108]Pistil color.—18D.

[0109]Stigma shape.—Trifid.

[0110]Stigma color.—18A.

[0111]Stigma dimensions.—Less than 1 mm. in height and less than 1 mm.in width.

[0112]Style dimensions.—Less than 1 mm. in width and 6 mm. in length.

[0113]Style color.—18D.

[0114] Seed: Seed production is rarely observed and has not beenobserved by the inventor.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of phlox subulata named ‘bubble gum’ asdescribed and illustrated.